I am feeling good. The feeling has still not sunk in.

I couldn’t believe my scores and then around 3-4 O'clock I realized it was true when I started getting calls.

Huge, I think for anyone its huge. It’s a land mark in their career or life, it’s a big achievement. This is what you are aiming for your entire life - that you want to do CA and once you get a rank in your final exams and that too in top 3 this is really something big.

I think when I was in the 8th or 9th grade. My late grandfather , Shri S.H. Bhandari and my father have been my inspiration.

I started my preparations from the 1st of January, before which I used to read a little. I basically took one subject at a time, set targets for completion of each subject to enable me to complete one full reading along with two revisions. I attended coaching for practical subjects which helped me approach the subjects in a structured manner. I used to make notes for larger topics so that I could revise them easily later. I appeared for model exams which are generally conducted one month before the actual exams, they gave me a understanding as to where I stood and which areas I had to concentrate on.

I think the most important thing is CA is all about smart study. Basically, you need to know what to read, how to read and when to read it. There are some topics which are very important which are frequently asked and there are some topics which are very minuscule, which keep getting asked in every exam but people ignore, for example in a subject like Financial Reporting there are a few topics like value added statements, accounting for share based payments, economic value added etc., I made sure that I covered all these topics in a appropriate manner, as these topics for a major chunk in the examination. I suggest that for a few topics one can make notes which one can revise later. I realized after giving my exams writing is a key to remembering.

My experience says the same, complex topics on repeated reading after regular intervals eventually result in simplification.

Focus should be there but I won’t suggest anyone to study for 14 hours or 15 hours or 20 hours a day. Number of hours you study is nowhere related to focus on the subject.

Maximum 10 hours a day. Initially I started with 8 hours. If you target 12 hours you will touch 10 that’s what I used to do- I used to target 12 and I used to touch 10, if I used to target 10 hours I would touch 8. So you should always set the target two hours more what you are planning to achieve. I used to get 7- 8 hours of proper sleep, used to watch the television and go out at times. These act as good diversions and help you concentrate better when you get back to study. You don’t have to compromise on normal life, just need to devote that 8 to 10 hours for studies. I think you shouldn’t get disturbed and concentrate that’s the key. Putting in 10 hours every day for 4 months is more than enough, however attending classes is also important.

It was a pretty smooth ride, my family, teachers and friends always supported me when I thought it wasn’t possible. There was no pressure of performing from my family. In a few exams when academic knowledge failed practical knowledge came in to play. I think if you have had proper training for the 3years, it would help you a lot in answering the questions.

Articleship is the most important part of a CA student’s journey. During your articleship you deal with real life situations in relation to the subjects tested and now-a-days most of the questions in the exams are based on practical knowledge and application of concepts. As I said earlier it will definitely help you in your examinations as against some people who would say otherwise.

I would like to thank my family for their endless support, my teachers for their guidance and my friends who pushed me to achieve what I have.

I like travelling, watching movies, playing cricket and listening to music.

Yes I am. I take help from resource files, recent updates on CCI. For ISCA, I got a link to a website which helped me prepare a few topics. All amendments or recent updates as well as tips for the exam are posted instantly which proved helpful to me. CCI makes answers available in a click - you want information on anything,, you go to the website and type the question and there is a answer to it. So CCI helped me a lot in that way.

Overall, the journey has been good. I started off with CPT then moved on to PCC. I did have a little problems in PCC as all the questions were to be answered compulsorily, I got through PCC successfully by standing 30th all over India. Then came the final exams. Frankly speaking I never expected the 2nd rank. I was just thinking I might pass with 450 or 400 marks. So in that way this is a big surprise for me. People tell me that I’m being very modest; but to be very honest I never expected this. But other people had belief in my abilities; a few of my teachers told me after PCC that they could see me in top three, at that point I laughed to myself thinking that they must be joking. But finally I have done it and it feels good.

Next, I have not decided yet. We have our own firm, it is called S.H. Bhandari and Co., founded in 1955 by my grandfather and then my father took over it. Right now, I’m working with my dad. My focus would be more on financial consultancy and direct taxes. I am also considering doing my masters in financial management or international taxation so that I can get some good exposure.

My message will be- CA is not that difficult as people think. With concentrated efforts, systematic studies and determination, I don’t think anything can stop you from doing it. I don’t think our Institute manipulates results in any manner. Just stick to your goal and I think you can achieve it, don’t deviate. It’s just those 3-4 months of your life in which you have to work a little bit more, keep your eyes on the prize. So I would suggest just put in all the hard work in those four months and after that you can do whatever you want to do. Stick to your goals, concentrate and if you think you can do it. YOU WILL.

There’s no plan as such, I am moving out of town for an audit tomorrow. There’ll be celebration next week I think. Everyone at home is happy and they want to celebrate.

Thank you!!